An introduction to the development of automatic CNC lathes

Numerical control technology refers to the technology that uses digital instructions composed of numbers, characters and symbols to realize the motion control of one or more mechanical equipment. Numerical control generally uses a general-purpose or special-purpose computer to realize digital program control, so numerical control is also called computer numerical control, or CNC for short. It is generally called CNC abroad, and the concept of NC is rarely used.

Automatic CNC lathes usually control mechanical quantities such as position, angle, and speed, and switch quantities related to the flow of mechanical energy. The generation of numerical control depends on the appearance of data carriers and binary data operations. In 1908, the perforated metal sheet interchangeable data carrier came out; at the end of the 19th century, the control system with paper as the data carrier and with auxiliary functions was invented; in 1938, Shannon carried out fast data calculation and transmission at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. Laid the foundation of modern computers, including computer numerical control systems.

Numerical control technology is developed in close combination with machine tool control. In 1952, the first CNC machine tool came out, which became an epoch-making event in the history of the world machinery industry and promoted the development of automation.